fun times

“I could really use a good night’s sleep,” she typed as her eyelids grew heavier with each passing second. I’m tired, y’all! And have been since Hawaii because, really, the fun has been pretty much nonstop. Last weekend I was in Las Vegas for my friend Andrea’s bachelorette and … Need I say more? This Wednesday Word No. 66, courtesy of Brita Photography, is a reminder that all the sleep deprivation that comes from a weekend with my girls is well worth it. Always. As much as I complain about needing more rest, I’m grateful that I’m sleepy because of the nights out spent with some of my favorite people in the entire world. Heck, it beats being tired because of insomnia, or worry, or depression, or cramming for exams or a looming deadline. We’ll sleep when we’re old. But while we’re young, we’re gonna forego reasonable bedtimes and live it up. The memories, the spontaneity, the strangers, the quotables, the hurting feet, the full bellies, the beverages (oh, the beverages), the unshakable bonds — they’re priceless. May all your sleepless nights bring a smile to your face when you realize what got you there.

Oh, what a night I had this past Saturday at 826LA’s “Let’s Do the Time Warp” dance-a-thon! Since September, my pal, Zita, and I have been raising funds for 826LA’s writing and tutoring programs. Our team, The Sister Act formerly known as The Tiny Dancing Queens, brought in $1,735, thanks to our generous friends and loved ones. And it all culminated in the dance-a-thon at The Unique Space in downtown L.A.

As you can see from this image, we dressed as the dancing girls emoji, and got rave reviews!

My guy and I had a wild time — literally and figuratively — yesterday at his company’s family and friends day at a property in Pacific Palisades, Calif. We were treated to a Tommy’s food truck, a magic show and other excitements, but the petting zoo was the highlight for me, by far.

How could your heart not melt for these sweet faces?

But don’t let that fool you. This horned fella was rambunctious and later head-butted an unassuming sheep for no reason at all. Totes McGotes out of control!

You may remember my “30 New Adventures While I’m 30” post from my birthday in July. Well, I’m slowly chipping away at these fun ideas, the first one being to go to a game show.

So this happened a few weeks ago. I went to a super spur-of-the-moment audition for a new game show called “Celebrity Name Game” with my friend, Brichet, in Hollywood. Think “The $25,000 Pyramid” meets “Taboo.” The show is produced by Courteney Cox and David Arquette, hosted by Craig Ferguson, and features a revolving door of B-list talent helping two pairs of friends/lovers/co-workers/etc. compete for $10,000. A couple weeks prior to that, I went to a taping of the show with my roll dawg, Zita. Actress Vivica A. Fox and Nev Schulman of “Catfish” were the celebrities for the three tapings we sat through.

The audition went down at Sunset Bronson Studios, and it happened so quickly. OK, not that fast because we were there for like an hour and a half. But we literally were given 30 seconds to wow the producers with fun facts about ourselves. Mine, of course, included that I’m a starving writer/editor/blogger who loves her furbaby, Berkeley Buster DeVoe, to pieces.

Apparently we church girls weren’t interesting enough for them and didn’t get a call back. Oh well. We tried. Fingers crossed that we get called back for a different show audition though!

Last week, I got a chance to run wild with my bestie, Yvette, at the Exploratorium at Pier 15 in San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf. Every first Thursday of the month, the museum hosts its “After Dark” event, which invites adults inside for a night of frivolity, exploration and light drinking, if that’s your cup of tea. If you happen to find yourself in the Bay Area around the same time, run, don’t walk, to the Exploratorium.

This exhibit projected images of our moving bodies onto this huge screen. That’s me with my arm raised in the top picture.

Here I am waiting to see what this “Love Shack” was all about.

Vetty balances a peacock feather on her chin while holding a cold one in her hand. Now that’s what I call talent. Those discs and sticks were in high demand, so be sure to snatch one up if you go! Word to the wise.

Mirror mirror on the wall, who’s the fliest duo of them all? A rhetorical question, ’cause obviously it’s us.

The day has come! I’m officially 30 years old today! It feels pretty weird writing that since I don’t “feel” 30, but I’m looking forward to all that my thirties have to offer. I bid a bittersweet farewell to my twenties, with all the great memories, heartbreaks, disappointments, triumphs and lessons learned. I’m hopeful for all that awaits me in this next decade of my life: adventure, career changes, love, peace, happiness, assurance — I want it all. With that being said, I present to you 30 New Adventures While I’m 30. Follow me on this journey as I make these aspirations a reality.

You may recall the time that my pal, Zita, and I went to “The Price Is Right.” I even did an Outfit of the Day to commemorate the occasion. Well, we didn’t make it on the show, which aired today, but we can be seen prominently multiple times, as we sat behind Contestants’ Row. No new car, but I’ll take the camera time!

This post is super late, but the memories I have from Spain, Portugal and Gibraltar are clear as day, as if they happened yesterday. In mid-December, I traveled abroad with the boo-ski and his mom. His family spent Christmas there, but I flew back to the States in time to spend the holiday with my family and friends. Long story short, my European vacation was ridiculously fun. Here are some of the highlights of my weeklong stay abroad.

After enduring what felt like THE longest layover known to mankind in Amsterdam, I arrived in Málaga, Spain, on Monday night. It’s located near the south of the country, near the Mediterranean Sea.

1. This Acrylic Pearl Clutch from Ashlyn`d may be a little eccentric, but I must say it looks stunning on. I recently saw it featured on Who What Wear, and it just popped in the hand of the model who was wearing a red shade of nail polish. (beckleyboutique.com)

2. You’ll be surprised at how affordable something this magnificent is when you check the price tag on this amazing Crystal Flower Necklace from Zara. Go ahead and look. P.S. Thanks to Versicolor Closet for introducing me to 10 lovely statement necklaces that cost less than $50. (zara.com)

3. I love discovering new works of art, and the vast majority of them just happen to be on the wonderful online marketplace known as Etsy. Check out this gem of an original illustration titled Ahoy, which is part of the Adrift Series, in the Pangaweka shop. (etsy.com)

4. “Aruba, Jamaica, ooooh I wanna take you to Bermuda, Bahama come on pretty mama …” Haha. I will be taking my first international trip to the island of Aruba with some good friends, and I can hardly contain myself! Stay tuned for an extensive travel log upon my return next week. In the meantime, take a look at some of the sights of this beautiful Caribbean destination by clicking the “Take 2 Minutes in Aruba” button. Fun times are in store! (aruba.com)

5. Speaking of fun in the sun, I wish I had found this darling little Nautical Bandeau Bikini and ordered it in time for me to sport it in Aruba. (humblechic.com)

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance …” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-4)

Cheers to the three-day weekend! My good friend had a poolside barbecue yesterday with a “Short Shorts and Sailor Hats” theme. I love the fact that I had just the outfit already in my closet. I went with a white tank (with a kiss detail, no less), high-waisted denim sailor-esque shorts, a low red vintage heel with gold accents, my trusty heart-shaped earrings, and a tan and red purse with sweet little sailboats and anchors.

I hope you all are enjoying your day, and please take a moment to reflect on the true purpose of this holiday: remembering the servicemen and women who lost their lives in the line of duty, protecting us citizens and our country, and all our loved ones who have passed away.